Cover-replacing device for can-washing machines



July 16, 1929.

Filed Jm. 2a, 192 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 w. E. MITTON l.72l,256

Filed Jan. 2a, 925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 16, 192-9.

covsn REPLACING DEVICE FOR CAN WASHING mcnnms NVENTO i 011/ ATTORNEY a,

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Jul 16, 1929. w. E. MITTON 1,721,256

COVER REPLACING DEVICE FOR CAN WASHING MACHINES- Filed Jan. 28, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet- 3 ATTORNEY mum I... L Imill|||||||l||||||||||||||||||||| Julyl 6, 1929. w, MITTONM 1.721256 COVER REPLACING DEVICE FOR CAN WASHING MACHINES Filed Jan. 28, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Z 11w.v 013M ATTORNEY I July 16, 1929. w, MITTQN 1,721,256

COVER REPLACING DEVICE FOR CAN WASHING MACHINES Filed Jan. 28, 1928 5 Sheebs-Sheet 5 l-nlmlmumw Patented July 16, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,721,256 P-ATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM! E. MITlION, OF NEW LONDON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE BORDEN COM- PANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF JERSEY.

(3OVEIR-REPLACING- DEVICE FOR CAN-WASHING MACHINES.

Application filed J'aiuary 28, 1928. Serial No. 250,231.

The invention relates to an improvement in cover replacing devices for can washing machines. I

It has been proposed heretofore to pro vide the machines used for washing large milk cans with devices for automatically replacing the covers on the cans on the completion of the washing operations. The object of the present invention is to produce an improved and simplified cover replacing device of such construction that the covers will be properly replaced on the cans more efficiently and more accurately than has been possible with the devices heretofore provided for the purpose. To this end the invention consists in the improved cover re placing device hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The preferred form of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan (with parts broken away) of the improved cover replacing device, and showing it associated with the discharge end of a can washing machine; Fig. 2 is .a vertical, longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 22'of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 2, but showing the parts in different position; Fig. 4 is a right hand end elevation of the parts for supporting the can cover and forcing it into the can; Fig. 5 is a top plan of the rear end of the cover support; and Fig. 6 is a top plan of'the can uprighting cradle and of its associated parts.

The can washing machine with which the cover replacing device of the present invention is adapted to be associated may be of any usual or preferred construction and comprises a framework of which only the discharge end is indicated in the drawings. During the washing operationsthe cans 10 are advanced intermittentlyfin inverted po sition along a runway consisting of the par allelly arranged guide bars 11- supported at their rear ends on the cross-piece 12 in turn supported from the uprights 13 of the frame of the machine. The can advancing means consists of the fingers 14 .pivotally mounted on the reciprocatingbars:15.-.:;These parts operate as usual in can washing machines and need no further description. During the can washing operations the shaft 16 journaled at its rear end in the boss 17 on one of the uprights 13 is oscillated in timed relation with the. movements of the bars 15 to open and close the valves controlling .the washing fluid, On the completion of the can washing operations the last pair of fingers '19 on the bars 15 act to push the washed can off the rear ends 18 of the guides 11. As the can is pushed over the rear ends of the guides 11 it begins to turn and fall sideways. As it descends it is received by a cradle 20 forming part of the cover replacing device.

The cradle 20 consists of two parallel, longitudinally arranged side pieces 21 and the two curved cross-pieces 22'. At their rear ends the side pieces 21 are extended and enlarged to form the bosses 24 which are provided with the trunnions 25 and 26 journaled in the brackets 27 depending from the longitudinal bars 28 forming part of the framework of the machine. The can receiving position of the cradle 20 is shown in Fig. 3 and by the dotted lines 30 in Fig. 2. The can is received in the cradle 20 with its bottom end extending toward the pivotal mounting of the cradle and its top end extending in the direction of the free end'of the cradle. Consequently, j when the cradle is rotated upon its trunnions in a clockwise direction the can is turned into upright position, as shown in full lines 31 in Fig.2, the preceding positions of the can being indicated by the dotted lines 32 and 33. I

The means for oscillating the cradle 20 to upright the can comprises the plate 34;, a

rod 40 guided by the boss 41mounted on the front of-one of the uprights 13. The 7 rod 40 may be reciprocated in any desired manner in timed relation with thereciprocation of the bars 15. The movement of the rod 40 and rack 37 in a left hand direction,

vie-wing Fig. 3, causes the plate 34 tov be os'-' cillated to turn the cradle 20 in a clockwise direction to upright-the can. As the cradle with thecan thereonturns, the bottom end of the can bears against and pivotson the forward edge 42 of the can receivingplatform 43 extending across the rear end of the machine and supported from the rear uprights 44 and from the brackets 27.

Inasmuch; as the can turns on its top end as an axis as it falls after being pushed off the rear ends of the can run 11 the normal can receiving position of the cradle is slightly inclined to properly 'receive'the can. Hence, as the cradle turns on its axis to swing the can into upright position the can has a tendency to slide axially in the cradle in the direction of itstopend. To prevent the can from sliding out of the cradle asthe latter turns, I provide'a' stop or retaining plate 45 mounted on the shaft 46 journale'd-at its ends in bearings resting on the longitudinalbars 39 of the machine frame.

One end of the shaft 46 carries an arm 47 pivotally connected at latory shaft 16.

the bottom edge of :the rim part 54 of the falling canstrikes on the upper surface of the plate 45 and slides down against the foot 53 which acts as a stop for the top part of the can as it turns and falls into the cradle- After the falling can has come to rest in the cradle andthe cradle is about to begin its clockwise rotation to upright the can the plate 45, due to the oscillation of the shaft 16, is turned into the substantially vertical position shown in Fig. 3 to act as a guide for the top edge 54 of the can to preventthe can from sliding out of the cradle as the latter rotates to'upright the can.

The upright position in which the cradle 20 leaves the can on the platform 43 is the cover receiving position of the can. To prevent the momentum with which the can is deposited upon the platform 43 by the cradle from inoperative position is determined by the enring the stops 57 in t e v deposited on the platform, as shown in full carrying the can beyond its cover receiving position, I provide two stops 57 which form the offset outer ends of the arms 58 fixed on the shaft 59 journaled at its ends in the deending end walls 60 of the platform 43.

he platform 43. is provided with the openings 61'to accommodate the stops 57 and arms 58. The'arms 58 tend to fall undert eaction .of gravity from the? ,perativeposit hold path of the being lines'in Fig. 2, into the position in which the stops 57 are below the top surface of the platform 43, as indicated by. the dotted lines 62. The limit of oscillation of the arms58 into I gagement ofthe stops 63, formed on the other ends of'the arms, with the under surfa'ceof the part 64 of the platform 43. The arms ,disk of substantia 58 are raised to place the stops 57 in opera tive position by means of a roll 65 carried by the rear side of the plate 34. The roll 65 is adapted to engage with the curved arm 66 fixed on the forward end of the shaft 59 and extending downwardly therefrom into the path of rotation of the roll 65. As the plate 34 turns the cradle to deposit the can on the platform .43, the roll 65 engages thearm 66 andoscillates the shaft 59 in a counter clockwise direction, thereby lifting the arms 58 and positioning the stops 57 in the path of the can as it is shoved onto the platform 43.

The can covers, as shown in Fig. 2, comprise a cylindrical portion 68'adapted to fit into the neck part 63 of the can and a cap or hood portion 70 which projects laterally beyond the sides of the cylindrical portion 68. As each can is advanced through the washing machine it is accompanied by its cover supported on a runway located above the can runway and advanced synchronously with its can. This arrangement and mode'of operation are as usual in machines of this character. The last unit of 'the cover advancing means imparts such impetus to the cover that it slides down the inclined part-71 of the cover runway onto a movable cover support consisting of the two horizontal and parallelly arranged bars 72. To stop the cover when it has reached a position immediately above the position of the can on the platform 43 two fixed guide bars 73 are provided, curved inwardly at their rear ends 74 to act as stops; The under edges of the cap or hood portion 70 of the cover, rests on the bars 72 and the edges of the cap of the cover are engaged by the fixed bars 73. The guide bars 73 are supported at their forward ends from the uprights 13 and at their rear .curved ends by the brackets 75 depending from the cross-piece 76 resting on the longitudinally arrangedbars 77 supported from theuprights 44 and 13;

The bars 72 of the cover sup ort are hinged at their forward ends on brac ets 79-secured to the outer sides of the fixed bars 73. At their rear ends the bars 72 are provided with the laterally extending wings 81 which rest and slide on the lower extensions 80 of the brackets 75. Whenthe cover resting on the rear ends of the bars 72 is to be inserted in the top of the can on the platform43 the rear ends of the bars 72 are moved outwardly, to per.

rod 84. The plunger 83 isin the form of a ly the same diameter as the cover and is provided with a central boss 85 in which the lower end of the rod 84 is secured; The rod 84 is slidingly received in a guide 86 risingfrom the center of the cross piece 76. The ,actuatingmechanism of the "ried by the lower end ofa vertically arranged mamas plunger 83 is so arranged that the plunger is positively raised, and is permitted to descend by gravity to insert a cover into its can. For this purpose the upper end of the rod 84 is provided with a fixed collar 88. Slidingly mounted on the rod 84: is a second collar 89 provided with the laterally extending trunnions 90 which are engaged by the upper ends of the links 91, the lower ends of which are pivotally connected with the outer bifurcated ends 92 of an arm 93 fixed on a shaft 94 journaled at its ends in the uprights 95 rising from the longitudinal bars 7 7 of the machine frame. Secured to the forward end of the shaft 94 and extending in the same direction as the arm 93 is an arm 97 to the free end of which is pivotally connected the upper end of a link 98, the lower end of which is pivotally connected at the point 99 with the plate 34. It is thus seen that when the plate 34-mtates in a counter clockwise direction the link 98 through the arm 97 turns the shaft 91 in a counter clockwise direction to lift the arm 93 and the collar 89. On its upward travel the collar 89 engages and carries upwardly with it the collar 88, the rod 84and the plunger 83.

When the plunger 83 has been lifted into raised position, as indicated in FigsVQ and 3, while the plate 3-1 and cradle 20 are turning in a counter clockwise direction, the plunger 83 is held in its raised position until after the cradle has again been actuated to deposit a can on the platform 43 and begins its return movement. The plunger 83 is held raised by means of a detent 100 which engages with a lug 101 fixed on the front side of the hub part 85 of the plunger 83. The detent 100 is slidingly received in a housing 102 mounted on the front side of the cross-piece 76. An expansion spring 103 engages a pin 10% on the detent 100 and forces the detent rearwardly into position to be engaged by and hold the lug 101. As the plunger 83 rises, the beveled upper surface of the lug 101 contactswith the beveled under surface of the rear end of the detent 100 and forces the detent forwardly, which permits the lug to pass upwardly beyond the detent. Thereupon the spring 103 forces the detent rearwardly again and into position to be engaged by the lug 101 to prevent the plunger 83 from descending until the detent l00 is pulled from under the lug 101. Thus the plunger 83 is raised while the cradle 20 is returning to its can receiving position. the plunger 83 with its rod 84 and collar 88 being held raised by the engagement of the lug 101 with the detent 100 while the cradle 20 is turning in a clockwise direction to deposit a can on the platform a3.

'lhe plunger 83 is released to descend onto the cover under it to force the'cover into the can on the platform as the cradle 20 andplate 3 1 begin their return or counter clockwise movement. The release of the plunger 83 efi ected by means of a latch 105 pivoted on the bracket 106 mounted on the rear side of the cross-piece 76. The lower end 107 of the latch 105 is articulated by a pin and slot connection with the forward end of the detent 100. As the-arm 93 approaches the limit of its downward movement the hooked end 108 of the dog 110 pivoted at 111 on the under side of the arm 93 engages and passes below the outwardly projecting upper end 112 of the latch 105, the spring 113 permitting the dog 110 to yield. As the cradle 20 and plate 34 begin their reverse or counter clockwise movement and the arm 93 begins to rise, the hooked end 108 of the dog 110 by engagement with the end 112 of the latch 105 causes the latch to turn on .its pivot and pull the rear end of the detent 100 from under the lug 101, I

thereby permitting the plunger 83 to descend under the action of gravity onto the cover be neath it and force the cover into the top end of the can on the platform. lhe descent of the plunger 83 and its rod 84 under the action of gravity is much faster than the upward travel of the collar 89 and the arm 93. Hence there is ample opportunity for the plunger to insert the cover into the can before the collar 88 fixed on the upper end of therod 8st meets the upwardly moving collar 89. In fact, means are provided for preventing the collar 88 from striking the collar 89 and also for preventing the plunger 83 from striking the cover too forcibly, in the form of a spring 115 resting at its lower end on the boss 1118 projecting rearwardly from the upper end of the guide 86. The spring 115 is held in position by the lower end of a rod 117 rising vertically from the boss 116 and passing at its upper end loosely through the boss 118 projecting rearwardly from the collar 88. As the collar 88 descends and rises with the plunger rod 8d the boss 118 slides on the upper end of the rod 117. The engagement of the undersurface of the boss 118 with the upper end'of the spring 115 causes the spring to act as a cushion and thereby prevent the shock which would otherwise occur if the collar 88 struck the collar 89. This cushion effect also insures the proper placing of the cover in the can without injury to either the cover or the can.

While the plunger 83 is held raised preparatory to its descent onto the cover held on the rear ends of the bars 72, it will be seen, by reference to Fig. 2, that an appreciable distance separates the bottom surface of the plunger from the top surface of the cover. When the plunger. has been released and is descending towards the cover, the time it takes the plunger to traverse the space separating the plunger from the cover is availed of to spread the rear ends of the bars laterally to release the cover. Projecting from the rear side of the hub 85 of the plunger is a boss 120 to which is secured the lower end of a bracket 122 onthe outer ends of which are mounted the rolls 123 arranged to engage with the cam surfaces 124 formed on the inner edges of the arms 125 pivotally mounted on their upper ends on the bracket 126 extending rearwardly from the guide 86. At their lower ends the arms 125 loosely receive the inturned ends 128 of two swivel pieces, the downturned ends 129 of which are loosely received in vertical holes in the bearings 130 secured to the outer sides of the rear ends of the bars 72. A spring 132 adj ustably secured at one end in the boss 133 on one of the arms 125 and adjustably I secured at the other end in the boss 134 on the other arm 125 tends to hold the cam surfaces 124 against the rolls 123 and the rear ends of the bars 72 in cover holding position. As the plunger descends it carries with it the bracket 121 so that the rolls 123 engage with the active parts of the cam surfaces 124 to force the lower ends of the arms 125 outwardly and thereby move the rear ends of the bars 72 from beneath the cover to permit the cover to descend into the open top of the can beneath it.

The full and continued operation of the improved cover replacing device is as follows :-It is assumed that no (ans have as yet been discharged from the can washing machine proper, that the cradle 20 is in its normal, canreceiving position, that the plunger has been raised, and that the spring 132 has acted to pull the lower ends of the arms 125 toward each other, as the rolls 123 pass upwardly beyond the cam surfaces 124, to hold the rear ends of the bars 72 in cover supporting position. As the can which has just passed through the washing operations reaches the rear ends 18 of the can runway 11 it is shoved therefrom by the pair of fingers 19 and falls with a turning movement toward the cradle 20, the top edge of the can striking the plate 45 and sliding down the surface 55 thereof to "the foot 53 about which point the can pivots onto the cradle. At the same time the cover which has accompanied the can through the washing machine slides down the inclined end 71 of the cover runway onto the rear ends of the bars 72 and'is held by the inturned' ends 74' of the fixed guide bars 73. When the can has come to rest in the cradle 20 the movement of the rod 40 and rack 37 toward the left causes the plate 34 and the cradle to oscillate in a clockwise direction. At the same time the shaft 16 is oscillated to throw the plate 45 from the position shown in Fig. 2 into the position shown in Fig. 3 to act as a guide for the top end of the can to prevent the can from slipping out of the cradle as it begins its turning movement toward the, platform 43. \Vhen the cradle has turned far enough to tilt in the opposite direction the'can slides bottomwise toward the edge 42 of the platform and the can pivots about this point as the cradle moves into V81" tical position to deposit the can onto the platform, as shown in Fig. 2. While the plate 34 is oscillating in the clockwise direction the roll 65' by engagement with the curved arm 66 causes the arms 58 to be lifted to position the stops 57 in the path of the can to hold the can centered under the cover held by the rear ends of the bars 7 2. The clockwise movement of the plate 34 also causes the arm 93 to descend to position the hooked end 108 of the dog 110 beneath theforwardly projecting end 1.12 of the latch 105.

When the can has been properly positioned on the platform 43, the rod 40 and rack 37 are moved toward the right, thereby caus ing the plate 34 and the cradle 20 to begin their return or counter clockwise oscillation. This turning movement of the plate 34 lifts the arm 93, thereby causing the dog 110 to turn the latch 105 to disengage the detent 100 from the lug 101 to permit the plunger 83 to descend. As the plunger descends the rolls 123 engage with the cam surfaces 124 and spread apart the lower ends of the arms 125,

thereby moving the rear ends of the bars 72 outwardly from under the cover to permit it to fall intothe open upper end of the can. As the cover reaches the can the plunger descends onto the cover and forces it into place, with the cylindrical portion 68 thereof inserted into the neck portion 69 of the can.

The full force of the fall of the plunger 83 is broken by the cushioning action of the spring 115 on the boss 118... The plunger 83 descends while the collar 89 is traveling upwardly, consequently no sooner has the descent of the plunger effected the insertion of the cover into the can than the upward travel of the collar 89 by engagement with the collar 88 results in the plunger 83 being lifted to its raised position where it is held by the engagement of the detent 100 with the lug 101. The upward travel of the plunger causes the rolls 123 to be disengaged from the cam surfaces 124, thereby permitting the.

- spring 132 to move the lower ends of the arms 125 toward each other to return the rear ends of the bars 7 2 into cover supporting position. The counter clockwise oscillation of the plate 34 frees the roll 65 from the curved arm 66, thereby permitting the arms 58 to descend under the action of gravity to lower the stops 57 below the upper surface of the platform 43. The can is now in condition to be discharged from the machine. This is effected by the placing of the next can on the platform 43. By a study of the cans indicated at 32, 33 and 31 in Fig. 2 it will be clear that as the can resting on the cradle is swung upwardly the forward bottom edge 136 thereof strikes the front face of the upright can on the platform and pushes it forward out of the machine. In this'connection it will be observed on reference to Fig. 3 that the engagement of the arm 66 by the roll 65 is not effective to lift the arms 58 to place the stops 57 in the path of the incoming can, until after the covered can has been discharged from the platform by the incoming can.

\Vhat I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a can washing machine in which the can is discharged from the machine in inverted position, means for receiving the can, a platform on which the can receiving means deposits the can in upright position with its open end uppermost, movable means for holding a cover above the can on the platform, a vertically movable plunger located over the cover for forcing the cover into the open end of the can, means for holding the plunger raised, means for releasing the plunger, and means controlled by and operating during the descent of the plunger for moving the cover supporting means to permit the cover to descend onto the can.

2. In a can washing machine in which the can is discharged from the machine in inverted position, means for receiving the discharged can, a platform on which the can re-' ceiving means deposits the can in upright position with its open end uppermost, movable means for supporting a cover over the can on the platform, a vertically movable plunger located over the cover for forcing the cover into the can, and means effective while the plunger is descending for releasing the cover to permit it to descend onto the can.

3. In a can washing machine of the character described, a platform, means for receiv-; ing a can discharged from the machine and placing it on the platform in upright position with its open end uppermost, a vertically movable plunger located over the can on the platform arranged to descend by gravity to force a cover into the can, and means for positioning the cover over the can and releasing it so that it may be engaged by the plunger and forced into the can.

4. In a can washing machine of the character described, a platform, means for receiving a can discharged from the machine and placing it in upright position on the platform with its open end uppermost, means for positioning a cover over the can and releasing it to permit it to fall onto the can, and a vertically movable plunger arranged to fall by gravity onto the cover to force it into the can.

5. In a can washing machine of the character described, a horizontally arranged platform, means for receiving a can discharged from the machine and depositing it on the platform in upright position with its open end uppermost, a vertically movable plunger located over the can on the platform and arranged to descend by gravity to force a cover into the open end of the can, means for sup porting a cover over the can, and means controlled by the descending plunger for releasing the cover to permit it to fall onto the can.

6. In a can washing machine of the character described in which a can is discharged in inverted position, a pivoted cradle for receiving a can as it falls sidewise, a platform on which the cradle deposits the can in upright position with its open end uppermost, movable means for holding a cover over the can, a vertically movable plunger located over the cover, means associated with the cradle for lifting the plunger-as it turns from can depositing posit-ion into can receiving position, means for holding the plunger in-raised position, means associated with the plunger raising. means effective at the beginning of its upward movement for releasing the plunger, and means controlled by the descending plunger for releasing the cover to permit it to descend onto the can in position to be forced into the can by the plunger.

7. In a can washing machine of the character described in which a can is dischar ed in inverted position, a platform, means or receiving the can as it falls sidewise from the machine and depositing it in upright position on the platform with its open end uppermost,

plunger as the can receiving means returns to initial position after depositing a can on the platform, means for locating the plunger in raised position, means associated with the plunger raising means effective as it begins its upward movement to release the plunger to permit it to descend, and means controlled by the descending plunger for releasing the cover to permit it to descend onto the can in position to be forced into the can by the plunger.

8. In a can washing machine of the character described in which a can is discharged in inverted position, a pivotally mounted cradle for receiving the falling can, actuating means for the cradle, a platform on which the cradle deposits the can in upright position with its open end uppermost, movable means for supporting a cover over the can, a plunger located over the cover and adapted to descend by gravity to force the cover into the can, means associated with the cradle actuating means for raising the plunger as the cradle returns to receiving position after depositing a can on the platform, means for holding the plunger in raised position, means associated with the plunger raising means efiective as it able bars for supporting a cover over the can ing the neck part of the can and assisting on the platform, a plunger located over the cover adapted to fall by gravity onto the cover and force it into the can, means for holding the plunger in raised position, means controlled by the can receiving means for releasing the plunger after the can has been deposited on the platform, and means connected with the falling plunger for spreading the bars laterally to permit the cover to descend onto the can.

10. In a can washing machine of the character described, a platform, means for receiving a can discharged from the machine and placing it on the platform in upright position'with its open end uppermost, a pair of bars for supporting a cover over the can, a plunger located over the cover and adapted to fall by gravity onto the cover to force it into the can, means for holding the plunger in raised position, means for releasing the plunger, and means effective as the plunger is descending for spreading the bars laterally to release the cover to permit it to descend onto the can.

11. In a can washing machine of the character described in which a can is discharged in inverted position, a pivotally -mounted cradle for receiving the discharged can as it falls sidewise, a platform, means for actuating the cradle to deposit the can in upright" position on the platform with its open end uppermost, a pair of movable bars for supporting a cover above the can, a vertically movable plunger located over the cover, means associated with the cradle actuating means for raising the'plunger while the cradle is returning from can depositing to can receiving position, means for holding the plunger in raised position, means associated with the plunger raising means and effective as it begins its upward movement to release the plunger, and means connected with the falling plunger for spreading the bars vto permit the cover to descend onto the can in position to be forced into the can by the plunger.

12. In a can washing machine of the character described in which a can is discharged in inverted position, a pivotally mounted cradle having a downwardly inclined can receiving position, a platform, means for actuating the cradle to deposit the can in upright position on the platform' with its open end uppermost, guide means unconnected with the cradle for preventing the can from sliding endwise from the cradle as it begins its turning movement, and means for placing a cover in the can.

13. In a can washing machine of the char- I acter described in which a can is discharged in inverted position, a pivotally mounted cradle having a downwardly inclined can receiving position, a stop member pivoted on a stationary part of the machine for engagthe can in turning into the cradle, means for actuating the cradle to deliver the can in upright position with its open end uppermost, and means for turning the stop means to engage the upper edge of the can and prevent the can from sliding endwise out of the cradle as the latter begins its turning movement.

14. In a can washing machine of the character described, a platform, pivotally mounted means for receiving a can discharged from the machine and placing it in upright position on the platform, a pair of pivotally mounted stop fingers for determining the position of the can on the platform, said fingers normally descending by gravity below the upper surface of the platform, and means actuated by the can receiving and depositing means for raising the fingers into operative position as the can is deposited on the platform.

15. In a can washing machine of the character described in which a can is discharged in inverted position, a pivotally mounted cradle having a downwardly inclined.can receiving position, a pivoted plate having an upturned portion for engaging the upper edge of the falling can as the can turns into the cradle, a member having a gear segment on its periphery connected with the cradle, a rack engaging the gear segment for actuating the member and cradle, and means for turning the guide plate into position to en- .gage the upper edge of the can as the cradle turns to prevent the can from sliding lengthwise out of the cradle, a platform on which the cradle deposits the can in upright position with its open end uppermost, a pa1r of pivotally mounted stop fingers normally below the upper surface of the platform,

means associated with the cradle for moving the fingers into operative position to stop the can as it is deposited on the platform, a pair of movable bars for supporting a cover over the can on the platform, a plunger located over the cover and adapted to descend by gravity to force the cover into the can, a plunger rod extending upwardly from the plunger, a collar fixed to the upper end of the plunger rod, a second collar movablymounted on the plunger rod, means associated with the cradle actuating means for lifting the movable collar to raise the plunger by engagement with the fixed collar, means for holding the plunger in raised POSItlOIl, means associated with the plunger lifting means and effective as the movable collar begins its upward movement to release the plunger, and means associated with the falling plunger for spreading the bars to perm t the cover to descend onto the can in position to be forced into the can by the. Plunger.

WILLIAM E. MITTON. 

